China's announcement to impose provisional duties of 21.9% to 42.7% on certain dairy products imported from the EU starting on December 23 is "unjustified and unwarranted," a spokesperson for the European Commission said on Monday (December 22).

"The Commission's assessment is that the investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, and that the measures are therefore unjustified and unwarranted," spokesperson Olof Gill said on Monday.

Monday's decision is provisional and could be revised when a final ruling is made. China significantly lowered provisional tariffs on pork in its final decision last week.

Trade tensions with the EU erupted in 2023 when the European Commission - which oversees the bloc's trade policy - launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Beijing has investigated and imposed tariffs on imports of EU brandy, pork and now dairy, measures seen as retaliatory.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (DECEMBER 22, 2025) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access All)

1. EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON OLOF GILL ARRIVING AT LECTERN INSIDE NEWSROOM

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON, OLOF GILL, SAYING:

"It is with concern that the Commission takes note of China's announcement to impose provisional countervailing duties on imports of dairy products from the European Union. The Commission's assessment is that the investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence. And that the measures are therefore unjustified and unwarranted."

3. JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON, OLOF GILL, SAYING:

"We are doing everything it takes to defend EU farmers and exporters, as well as the Common Agricultural Policy against China's unfair use of trade defence instruments. The Commission already took action at the World Trade Organization against China's initiation of this investigation on dairy. As always, the Commission will take all necessary steps to defend the rights of European producers."

5. GILL STANDING, ANSWERING QUESTIONS